An in-depth look at what it means to paint a portrait
For a very long time I had dreamed of being able to do nothing.....but paint portraits. The challenge and delight of capturing someone on paper is what inspired me to start drawing so many years ago. It inspires me even more today.
I had painted many portraits over the years, but the subject hadn't received my undivided attention. A few years ago I started to feel quite strongly that this needed to change. I wanted to find a way to devote more attention to portraits. Not just painting them or doing a few more commissions but really studying what they're all about, what their potential as an art form, and for creative expression can be.
I submitted a proposal to explore portraiture to the exhibition committee at the Whistler House Museum of Art in Lowell, Massachusetts. They liked my idea, and I was given an exhibition.
The Exhibition
The idea was to do a project that would not only let me create a body of work that indulged my passion for portraits, but also draw popular attention to the art form and encourage people to participate first-hand. I invited fans, followers, collectors, friends and anyone interested to sit for portraits.
To my delight, there was a tremendous response. Some people had very specific ideas about how they wanted to be presented, including personal mementos or a favorite dress or color, others were just curious and excited about where my creative impulses would take me. I wanted to explore ways to express the unique qualities of each person. This meant making sure they wouldn't all fall into a particular or predictable format. I was careful not to control too much and avoided suggestions, telling them what to wear or how to pose. I wanted to work with what came naturally. My ideas came from what they each brought to the sitting and the impact it had on me, the visual story they each inspired.
There were 45 portraits on display in the Whistler House Museum of Art's Parker Gallery from September 9th through November 4th, 2017. The works ranged in size from large, full figure works to miniature paintings, and in scope with some portraits reflecting a more traditional approach while others explored narrative ideas or informal and more intimate expressions.
Event photos courtesy of Whistler House Museum of Art
Installation photos courtesy of Adrien Bisson
The Whistler House Museum of Art
243 Worthen Street
Lowell, MA 01852
978-452-7641
Follow this link to listen to my interview about The Portrait Experience with Alyson Stanfield of Art Biz Success.
Podcast episode 11: Portrait Project and Museum exhibition with Lisa Kovvuri
Follow Along
Although the exhibition is over, news, new paintings and their stories carry on. Preview new works and read about the stories and inspiration behind them by subscribing to my newsletter. Follow me on Instagram for progress shots and studio sneak peeks.
